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1080i posts

Sanyo unleashes two iFrame compatible Dual HD camcorders

by Laura June posted Oct 14th 2009 at 12:48AM

Sanyo's just unleashed two new full HD camcorders -- the VPC-HD2000A and the VPC-FH1A. Both of these babies boast 1080p and 1080i recording at 60 fps, plus iFrame recording at a 960 x 540 resolution and 30 frames per second and 8 megapixel still shooting with 10x optical zoom. The cams are the first to offer iFrame compatibility, a 'next gen' format designed for easy importing, editing and sharing of video -- and hey, Apple just released an iMovie update adding iFrame compatibility, so the timing is spot-on for those of us aching to ditch the super-lameness of AVCHD. The VPC-FH1A has a 3-inch LCD and HDMI output, while the VPC-HD2000A has a 2.7-inch LCD. They're both available now, with the FH1A running $499.99 and the HD2000A $599.99. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Sanyo unleashes two iFrame compatible Dual HD camcorders

WD TV Mini loses Full HD, but remains a handy Media Player

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 18th 2009 at 11:54AM

While we wait excitedly for Western Digital to update its HD Media Player, the company has decided to add another, value-minded product to its media player range. Working along the same lines as the HD unit, The WD TV Mini serves as a conduit between your TV set and USB-connected storage -- whether it be a camcorder, an external HDD or a humble flash drive -- and plays back a vast array of digital media formats. The Mini part to its name refers to its diminutive 91 x 91 x 22 mm footprint, but being the younger sibling also means it loses a couple of the premium features, namely HDMI and full 1080p, though that drop-off isn't too steep with 1080i and composite plus component outputs serving as alternatives. It's available now for $99.

Brando's latest HDD dock adds HDMI into the mix

by Tim Stevens posted Jun 1st 2009 at 12:47PM

There are apparently an awful, awful lot of people out there with shoe boxes full of spare SATA drives. Somebody is buying all these new HDD docks, and while most surpass the previous editions by adding support for another obscure format of memory card, Brando's latest seems like an actually useful update, adding HDMI and component ports through which it can output video at either 1080i or the always popular 576p. Standard resolutions may not be its strong point, and sadly there's no mention of which video codecs it can unravel, but it does at least support the major flavors of audio files (MP3, WMA, AAC, etc.) and of course will read memory cards and thumb drives to boot. No, a bare drive may not look particularly appealing while rattling away on your entertainment center, and at $69 you're not far from the price of a Windows Media extender or the like, but don't let such practical concerns dissuade you from adding this unique focal point to your home theater.

Cube H100HD PMP does 1080i in a tiny package

by Tim Stevens posted Apr 21st 2009 at 8:23AM

Thought 720p output from a PMP was impressive? Try 1080i on for size. Yes, Cube has seemingly one-upped itself, introducing a new PMP called the H100HD that, like its predecessor, sports a 5-inch LCD and support for a variety of video and audio formats, but adds in an FM tuner, support for simple Flash games, and another step up the HD resolution ladder, all in a package that's a bit more svelte than before. And yes, it still does 720p output for those progressive types. No information on price yet, but since the last one sold for under $75 don't expect it to break the bank -- also don't expect it to show up at whatever electronics retailers are still in business where you are.

Compal's APA00 and APA01 support HD video, can't display it

by Ross Miller posted Feb 12th 2009 at 5:16AM

Compal's enlisting two new recruits into the PMP army, the APA00 and APA01. Both uCLinux-powered devices sport 7-inch LCD displays, DMB-TH, FM Tuner, 802.11g, up to 80GB HDD, an SD/MMC slot, and component / composite outputs. Codec support includes MPEG, Xvid, WMV9, H.264 and a variety of audio formats. The company's boasting HD support up to 1080i, but with a WVGA resolution, you're not gonna be enjoying that crisp of an image without an external screen. Aesthetics aside, the only difference we could find is an extra six grams of heft in the black-clad APA00. Not a peep on pricing or availability.

[Via Pocketables]

Read - APA00
Read - APA01

Sony unveils world's thinnest LCD HDTV - 9.9mm KDL-40ZX1

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 28th 2008 at 1:44AM

Sony's taken the crown in the race for thinnest LCD HDTV. At just 9.9mm thick the KDL-40ZX1 nearly halves the depth of Hitachi's former champ (likely throwing up in the bathroom right now) and comes within a whisper of Pioneer's ultra thin concept. Featuring a LED backlighting, a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, 120Hz MotionFlow tech, x.v.Color and BRAVIA Engine 2 image processing this is about as close to a 40-inch window on your wall as is likely to arrive soon. Only one HDMI in is directly on the screen itself, all unnecessary HDMI / USB / component inputs are relegated to a base station, with the option for wired or -- possibly WHDI based? -- 5Ghz wireless (unfortunately limited to 1080i max resolution for now). We'd mention the XMB GUI, AcTVila video on-demand and DLNA support, but at some point it's just piling on. A mere 490,000 yen ($4,474 U.S.) puts the ZX1 on your wall, due at your local Japanese retailer November 10. See you there?

[Via AV Watch & Sony Insider]

Sony intros the makeup-inducing PCS-XG80 1080i video conferencing system

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jan 30th 2008 at 9:25AM

The kind, loving folks over at Sony claim that they're about to explode the video conferencing market wide open -- HD style -- and we've got front row seats to the festivities. According to the electronics-maker, the PCS-XG80 is the industry's first 1080i, HD conferencing solution, and will provide dual streaming, 30 FPS performance over IP or ISDN connections. The system is backwards-compatible with its older SD setups, and we assume it plays nice with the behemoth's earlier HD effort, the PCS-HG90 -- though you might want to double check on that before dropping the $8,999 that the company is asking for the system. Finally, you can really see just how ugly the home office is.

Hama PhotoPlayer 1080i digital picture viewer

by Joshua Topolsky posted Dec 4th 2007 at 10:03AM

Hey there Ansel Adams -- we know you're shooting all your news pictures in an ultra-detailed, millions-of-megapixels format. Unfortunately for you, it's hard to show off your breathtaking work to friends and family. Well, a company called Hama hopes to change all that with its PhotoPlayer 1080i, a curious device that serves one basic function: it allows you to view your photos on an HD television. Basically, the little contraption is a 35-in-1 card reader which also outputs images (via component hookups) to your favorite 1080i-equipped display. The PhotoPlayer comes with a tiny remote for flipping through your majestic vision, and also includes a USB jack (for hard drives and the like), so you can go for a really, really long haul during your presentations. We can hear the "oohs" and "ahhs" already. Available now, no word on price.

[Via PhotographyBLOG]

Olympus creates 360-degree HD camera and projector

by Joshua Topolsky posted Nov 21st 2007 at 8:11AM

Sure, regular HD is nice -- you really get a gander at an anchorman's makeup, and the stars' wrinkles are shocking -- but does it go far enough? Olympus doesn't think so. The camera company -- long known to bring the goods on the picture-takin' end -- has just created the first 360-degree, 1080i camera and projection solution. Utilizing a proprietary system based around an "axisymmetric free-form-surface lens," the camera can shoot video at horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 360-and-50-degrees, respectively; the images can then be projected in the same range by a separate unit. Obviously, you won't see this in the consumer sector any time soon, but it does open some pretty interesting opportunities for installations and security alike.

Toshiba's 100GB gigashot A100F: world's smallest "Full HD" camcorder

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 25th 2007 at 5:06AM

Toshiba just announced their gigashot A and K series of video recorders in Japan. The A100F brings a shock-mounted, 1.8-inch 100GB disk with 1/3-inch CMOS sensor 2 megapixel stills or 1,920 x 1,080 recordings at 60fps with 16bit/48kHz Dolby digital stereo audio at a 384kbps bit rate. That equates to about 12 hours of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 formatted video at the highest quality setting or about 23 hours in standard mode. It also features SDHC expansion, a big 3-inch LCD, 10x optical zoom, HDMI and component out, and USB linkup with your PC. According to Toshiba, its 78.1 x 135.4 x 79.0-mm measurements also give it claim to the title as the world's smallest "Full HD" camcorder with built-in hard disk drive. The gigashot K series rolls things back to 720p video and 0.92 megapixel stills stored in a maximum 80GB disk. The top of the line gigashot A100F starts shipping in mid November for ¥188,000 (about $1,628) while the lowest of the low 40GB K-series model starts shipping in late October for ¥108,000 or right around $935 -- you know, if the dollar holds steady which it won't.

Gallery: Toshiba's 100GB gigashot A100F: world's smallest "Full HD" camcorder

[Via Impress]

Sony unveils world's first, ugliest HD Video Walkman

by Darren Murph posted Jul 26th 2007 at 1:03PM

For those of you not blinded by the unsightly image above, that there is the "world's first HD Video Walkman," or in other terms, one of the ugliest devices we've seen in years. Beyond the fact that this thing resembles a decade-old handheld cassette recorder with a seven-inch HD display flanked on top, it enables users to watch their HDV / miniDV tapes on the go, which isn't likely to entice you unless you shoot for a living. Furthermore, the GV-HD700E can record HDV1080i/DV signals from an external source, sports i.LINK / HDMI / component outputs, supports x.v.Color, and includes a Memory Stick slot for tape-to-flash card conversions. No word on just how much this curious creature will set you back, but those still fascinated can look for it to land in Europe this September.

The Helios H2000: your $99 upscaling multiformat DVD player

by Darren Murph posted Jul 23rd 2007 at 4:14PM

Those familiar with the Helios name probably haven't forgotten the uber-cheap H4000 that landed late last year, but the firm has outdone itself once again by slipping under that oh-so-magical $100 price point with the H2000. This slim multiformat player can not only upscale your standard DVDs to 1080i, but MPEG2/4, DivX, and even XviD files can also be upconverted for your viewing pleasure via component, HDMI, or VGA. Moreover, this device also outputs unprocessed 480i / 576i signals via the HDMI port if you're sending it to an external video scaler, and while we're sure you may be willing to give your ~~first~~ second born for all these niceties, Helios Labs will only be asking for $99 when it arrives next month.

Samsung's BD-P2400 and BD-P1400 third-gen Blu-ray players

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jul 11th 2007 at 8:28PM

Samsung has dropped its "Holidays in July" bomb on the good people of Earth, and within that treasure trove are a few little gems, like the company's new Blu-ray duo, the BD-P2400, and kid sister BD-P1400. Both players feature Blu-ray playback at native HD resolution (1080p / 1080i / 720p), handle HD video at 1920 x 1080, and up-convert standard DVDs to 1080p via HDMI. The BD-P2400 also utilizes Samsung's "Hollywood Quality Video", which rocks some proprietary de-interlacing that makes Pirates of the Caribbean look really, really real. The player's audio does the regular rounds with stereo and 5.1, coaxial and optical digital outs, and Dolby Digital Plus with DTS HD and MP3 playback.; for video you get HDMI, component, S-Video and composite outs. The BD-P2400 will be available in October for $649, and the BD-P1400 in September for $549.

Canon unveils HR10: its first AVCHD camcorder

by Darren Murph posted May 7th 2007 at 9:45AM

Granted, Sony and Panasonic got into the AVCHD game quite some time ago, but you won't catch us griping about more competition. The relatively small HR10 sports a CMOS sensor, Digic DVII processor, optical image stabilization, a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, HDMI / component outputs, USB 2.0, and a miniSD slot for saving 3.1-megapixel stills. Additionally, the unit touts Full HD capability, a 10x optical zoom lens, and instant AF, and users can record directly to three-inch DVD-R / DVD-RW discs in a variety of bitrates. Notably, the DVD camcorder won't come bundled with any sort of video editing software, but it will be hitting store shelves for those still interested this August for $1,199.

[Via CamcorderInfo]

Sharp's AQUOS DV-ACV52 HD DVR handles DVD, HDV, and VHS

by Darren Murph posted Apr 29th 2007 at 1:23PM

Sharp's HD DVR lineup has been steadily (albeit quietly) growing for a few years now, and while the company did loose five new offerings in the AQUOS DVR arena earlier this year, the multi-faceted DV-ACV52 has the stage all to itself now. Besides packing a built-in digital TV tuner, 250GB hard drive, and HDMI outputs, this convergence device allows playback and dubbing on a variety of formats including VHS, DVD, or DV / HDV via the i.Link FireWire connector. Other niceties include composite / S-Video outs, optical audio output, and the ability to record one OTA broadcast to the HDD while another goes straight to VHS / DVD. Sadly, we don't envision this Japanese-bound unit ever gracing US shores, but it will be making smiles across the sea next month for around $925.

[Via MediaMentalism]